Reference Books

Explore the unique stories behind every Grand Prix track in this fully updated second edition. Written by award-winning journalist Maurice Hamilton and complete with bespoke digital maps of each course, this is the ultimate guide to the circuits of Formula One. Each venue is listed in chronological order from the first time it hosted a Grand Prix, starting with Monza, then taking in renowned locations such as Spa, Nürburgring, Monaco and Silverstone, all the way up to F1’s latest destination: Miami. Uncover little-known facts about famous circuits and discover the story behind some of the sport’s lesser-known venues. This fully updated second edition includes: all 77 Formula 1 circuits, featuring six additional venues from the previous edition, bespoke digital maps of every racetrack, statistics including circuit lengths, lap records, and names of corners and straights, alphabetical and ‘by country’ indices for ease of reference.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780008554798 • Author: Maurice Hamilton  • Publisher:  Collins • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  336 • Dimensions:  22.7 x 2.8 x 27.1 cm

The must-have companion to the greatest event in world rugby... Containing everything rugby fans will need to enjoy the World Cup, this official guide is packed with images, profiles, previews and charts, making it essential reading for any fan and the perfect companion to all of the tournament action. Contents include Team-by-team profiles, Star player profiles, a guide to every venue, a Fill-in tournament progress chart, a History of the Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup records, Qualification round-up and more!  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781802796360 • Author: Simon Collings • Publisher:  Welbeck • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  128 • Dimensions:  18.9 x 24.6 cm

If you've always wanted to know how societies function - and why sometimes they don't - this beginner's guide to sociology has got the essential theories and thinkers covered! Sociology has almost limitless scope. From the smallest everyday interaction to the impact of vast systemic change, societies are brimming with fascinating phenomena we all want to understand more clearly. There's never been a more important moment to grasp what's going on around us, and this pocket-sized guide offers an engaging introduction to the key sociological concepts and debates. It includes easy-to-follow coverage of: The origins and development of modern sociology and the influence of foundational figures such as Durkheim, Marx and Weber. The major sociological schools or perspectives, from functionalism to feminism. How sociologists strive to test their theories ethically and carefully by using scientific research methods. The key topics in sociology, including inequality, class, crime, gender and race. How sociology can help us tackle new challenges and change our societies - and the wider world - for the better. Perfect for newcomers, or anyone seeking a concise breakdown of the subject, The Little Book of Sociology takes all the big ideas and makes them crystal clear.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781800077188 • Author: Rasha Barrage • Publisher:  Summersdale • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  144 • Dimensions:  10.6 x 2 x 14 cm

Now including the top astronomical places to visit, star festivals and the latest on star parties in Britain and Ireland, the new 2024 edition is totally up-to-date for exploring the wonder of the night skies, month-by-month and day-by-day. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or just starting out, Philip's Stargazing 2024 is the only book you'll need. Compiled by experts and specially designed for easy and daily use, Stargazing 2024 acts as a handily illustrated and comprehensive companion. Includes 12 updated sky charts for year-round astronomical discovery, Month-to-Month information. Daily Moon Phase Calendar, highlighting special lunar events throughout the year and planet Watch for ideal viewing days in 2024. Find the best places to experience Dark Skies, along with the latest on Star Festivals and Star Parties and the top places to visit for astronomical insights. With expert advice and insight throughout from internationally renowned Prof Nigel Henbest, a special article on the use of filters for astro-photography by expert Robin Scagell, the complete calendar of major astronomical events, including the Top 20 Sky Sights of 2024 and Jargon Buster, explaining common or confusing terms, the planets' movements explained from solar and lunar eclipses to meteor showers and comets.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781849076517 • Author: Nigel Henbest • Publisher:  Philip's • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  96 • Dimensions: 14.9 x 14.9 x 21 cm

The 2023 Private Eye Annual presents the year's best cartoons, jokes, parodies and topical sketches from the UK's most successful satirical news and current affairs magazine! The Private Eye Annual has become both a seasonal institution and a perennial Christmas bestseller with its funny illustrations throughout! The perfect gift!  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781901784732 • Author:  Ian Hislop  • Publisher:  Private Eye • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  96 • Dimensions:  21 x 1.4 x 26 cm 

Want to impress your friends and family with both useful, worthless but undeniably interesting facts? Then Interesting Facts For Curious Minds: 1572 Random But Mind Blowing Facts About History, Science, Pop Culture and Everything in Between is the book for you! Know the answers to a variety of questions such as: When did zero become a number? Who was the inventor of Bitcoin? What did the Big Bang sound like? How have sports changed around the world? What’s a malapropism? and many more! With 63 chapters, this book has a nice mix of science, history, pop culture, and all sorts of stuff in between. Each chapter contains 25 concise yet engaging factoids that are sure to make you think and at times laugh. I guarantee you’ll find it one of the best tools to pass some time, relax alone, or connect with others. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some truly interesting facts!  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9798887680026 • Author: Jordan Moore  • Publisher: Red Panda Press • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  198 • Dimensions: 17.78 x 1.14 x 25.4 cm

In this comprehensive guide, best-selling author and crystal expert Philip Permutt reveals the amazing ability of crystals to heal and energize, with details of over 400 crystals and how they can help a huge range of common ailments and enhance every part of your life. With crystal remedies for more than 250 common ailments and a directory of over 400 crystals, as well as detailed explanations of the most effective healing methods, this book is the ultimate guide to healing with crystals. By drawing on the unique qualities of crystals, you can balance the energy fields around your body and home to bring wellbeing and gain health benefits.  Crystals can help soothe emotional problems such as anxiety, mood swings, and shyness, as well as physical symptoms such as migraines and allergies. Illustrated with color photographs, and supplemented with exercises to try, The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing is the ultimate practical reference from a highly respected healer and teacher. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781800650091 • Author: Philip Permutt • Publisher: CICO Books • Format: Paperback •  Pages: 176 •  Dimensions: 19 x 2 x 23.5cm  

A classic collection the Art of War and other Chinese military texts, beautifully presented with a striking, foil-embossed cover design. Written between 500 BCE and 700 CE, these seven texts have inspired generals for millennia, both in China and the wider world. These seven texts display an understanding of strategy and warfare still relevant more than 2,000 years after they were originally written. Together, they present a uniquely eastern tradition of warfare that emphasizes speed, stealth, and cunning. This collection includes seven of the most famous military texts of ancient China: The Art of War, Wuzi, Wei Liaozi, Taigong's Six Secret Teachings, The Methods of the Sima, Three Strategies of Huang Shigong, and Questions and Replies Between Emperor Taizong of Tang and General Li Jing. These new translations bring to light several texts that display an understanding of strategy and warfare that still has relevance millennia after their original publication. From the 11th-century AD onward, these texts became required reading for Chinese military officers. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781839401596 • Author: Sun Tzu • Publisher:  Arcturus • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  384 • Dimensions: 23.7 x 3.3 x 19.2 cm

Delve into the human mind and understand the science behind how you and others think and act with this visual guide to applied psychology! Discover what makes you, you - the unique blend of nature and nurture that makes up your sense of who you are - and psychology’s role in relationships, sport, work, and education. Learn about a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alongside treatments, from cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoanalysis to group therapy and art therapy.  A fascinating read that will quickly hone your emotional intelligence and give you perceptive insights into both your own and other people's feelings and behaviour - perfect both for students and people new or interested in psychology!  Product Information: • ISBN: 9780241417843 • Author: Jo Hemmings • Publisher: DK • Format: Hardback • Pages: 256 • Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 2.5 cm

Is a vegan diet healthier? Should I try going low-carb? Is it always a bad idea to skip a meal? Are superfoods all they're cracked up to be? Is fat still bad for you? Can I eat to improve my chances of conceiving? Science of Nutrition cuts through the noise of conflicting diet advice with clear answers backed up by the very latest research. Recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to nutrition, this ground-breaking book has the answers to all your food-related questions, covering every conceivable topic - from gut bacteria to weight management, to heart health and immune support, to vegan diets and intermittent fasting, and everything in between. With an accessible Q&A approach and informative graphics, this nutrition book will debunk popular food myths and diets, redefine nutrition in the modern world, and enable you to make informed decisions that are best suited to you, about what, when, and how to eat. The book's easily digestible and evidence-based advice empowers you to explore the benefits and importance of nutrition, alongside the downright misleading when it comes to the world of food and diet, and to equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to assess and enhance your approach to nutrition. Product Information: • ISBN: 9780241506462 • Author: Rhiannon Lambert • Publisher: DK • Format: Hardback • Pages: 224 • Dimensions: 26.3 x 22.1 x 2.4cm    

An exploration of the Jack the Ripper murders through the eyes of the Londoners who lived through it, including eye-witness accounts and inquest testimonies. The shocking murders carried out by an unknown serial killer in London's East End in during the autumn of 1888 dominated the news and public imagination at the time and have continued to exert a baleful influence ever since. But what was it like to live through those terrifying weeks? No matter what precautions the locals took, the killings continued. Featuring eye-witness accounts, photographs and documents of the time, this book looks at the crimes of Jack the Ripper and their impact on the people of Victorian London. It follows the way the crimes affected the local population, the rumours that swept the streets, the alarms, the riots, the persecutions, the suspicions and the sheer naked terror of the awful autumn when Jack the Ripper stalked the streets. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781398845664 • Author:  Rupert Matthews • Publisher: Arcturus Publishing • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  256 • Dimensions: 12.5 x 2.1 x 19.5 cm

From the crime scene to the courtroom, When the Dogs Don't Bark is the remarkable story of a life spent searching for the truth... Never before has criminal justice rested so heavily on scientific evidence. With ever-more sophisticated and powerful techniques at their disposal, forensic scientists have an unprecedented ability to help solve even the most complex cases. Angela Gallop has been a forensic scientist for over 40 years. After joining the Forensic Science Service, the first crime scene she attended was for a case involving the Yorkshire Ripper. As well as working on a wide range of cases in many countries around the world, she is now the most sought-after forensic scientist in the UK, where she has helped solve numerous high-profile cases, including the investigation that finally absolved the Cardiff Three the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path murders, and the killings of Stephen Lawrence, Damilola Taylor, Rachel Nickell and Roberto Calvi. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781473678859 • Author:  Angela Gallop • Publisher:  Hodder Paperbacks • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  368 • Dimensions: 12.8 x 2.6 x 19.6 cm

Discover the ancient language of the universe, decipher its messages and unravel its mysteries - all you need is this book and your own intuitive powers! Has a song ever popped into your head only for you to hear it on the radio a minute later? Does the same sequence of numbers follow you wherever you go? This could be more than a coincidence. The universe is always pointing you in the right direction - all you have to do is heed its whispers. Filled with advice and inspiration, this book will be your essential guide to reading the universe. Complete with fill-in sections to chronicle your experiences, learn how to: Ask for and manifest guidance from the universe, interpret common signs, synchronicities and their meanings and unlock your unconscious and reconnect with your inner voice. It's time to discover your true path and find magic and meaning in the everyday. The cosmos is ready and waiting to guide you in your endeavours. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781837991914 • Author:  Astrid Carvel • Publisher:  Summersdale • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  160 • Dimensions:  15 x 21 x 1.6cm 

Decode the secrets and uncover the origins and meanings of over 2,000 signs and symbols, from ancient hieroglyphs to modern-day logos. Why is a heart pierced by an arrow a classic symbol of love? What are the ancient roots of fertility symbols? Why are scales a symbol of justice? Delve into the meaning of each symbol and investigate how they have been interpreted in myth, religion, folklore, and art over time, with authoritative text from experts in the field and striking line drawings and photography that emphasize the visual strength and beauty of signs. Divided into six thematic sections - the cosmos, the natural world, human life, myths and religions, society and culture, and symbol systems - this guide to the secret language of signs and symbols is a must-have for those who want to understand the world around them.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780241387047 • Author: Miranda Bruce-Mitford • Publisher:  DK • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  352 • Dimensions:  19.8 x 2.8 x 23.3 cm

Unleash your inner witch, learn the secrets of modern magick, and find joy every day with The Modern Witch’s Guide to Happiness. Discover everything you need to know to unlock your inner witch with this essential guide. Learn how to use tarot cards and healing crystals, how to embrace your psychic power and dispel toxic energy, and how to harness the magick of nature to become the happiest and most grounded version of yourself. Written in layman’s terms, this book offers practical activities such as spellcraft, finding your own rituals, and how to use magickal herbs effectively. Coupled with positive affirmations and advice on spiritual self-care, The Modern Witch’s Guide to Happiness is the perfect handbook to guide you on your magickal journey. Product information: • ISBN: 9781789296419 • Author: Luna Bailey • Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 128 • Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 1.3cm 

Murder – the ultimate crime, and one that we have a macabre fascination with. The Murder Files takes a look at some of history’s most disturbing and horrific murders and explores the details which have gripped and disgusted in equal measure. Discover terrifying tales of gruesome murders including: Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror in Victorian London, O.J Simpson’s trial for the murder of his ex-wife and more. Each compelling case is explored with a concise account of what happened, including key facts about the victims and their killers. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781802420395 • Author: Sam Pilger • Publisher: Quarto Publishing • Format: Paperback

As the parachutists and glider troops of the US and British airborne divisions went in on the night of June 5, Allied shipping began massing out in the Channel. As dawn broke on June 6, waves of assault craft hit the Normandy beaches. British, American, Canadian, polish and Free French troops began to stream ashore to storm the defences of the Atlantic Wall in the teeth of overwhelming enemy firepower. By midnight on D-Day 150,000 Allied troops were ashore and the process of consolidating the beachheads and pushing inland had begun. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781398810662 • Author:  Nigel Cawthorne  • Publisher:  Arcturus Publishing • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  290 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1 cm 

Guy Martin can't sit still. He has to keep pushing - both himself and whatever machine he is piloting - to the extreme. He's a doer, not a talker. That applies whether Guy's competing in a self-supported 750-mile mountain bike race across Arizona, or trying to reach 300mph in a standing mile on the 800-horsepower motorbike he built in his shed. And during his TV adventures, travelling through Japan, winning records for the world's fastest tractor, re-creating the famous Steve McQueen Great Escape jump, discovering the toil and sacrifice of the D-Day landings and trying to cut the mustard as a Battle of Britain pilot. Guy's become a dad now and he's hoping that one day his daughter will grow up to be a better welder than he is. Oh, and he's still getting up at 5am to work on trucks in for service or to be out on his tractor, working the Lincolnshire land he's always called home. This is Guy Martin's latest book, in his own words, on the last four years of his life that make the rest of us look like we're in slow motion. We're here for a good time, not a long time. To Guy, if it's worth doing, it's worth dying for.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781529940145 • Author:  Guy Martin • Publisher:  Ebury Press • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  320 • Dimensions:  15.24 x 3.05 x 23.34 cm

Partygate? More like party GREAT! While the UK locked down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Boris Johnson's Number Ten played host to a series of boozy shindigs. Now, for the first time, you can learn to get wasted like they do in Whitehall. The Downing Street Party Guide will take you through every stage of a successful, pandemic-defying bash, from drafting invitations to answering awkward questions later. Contents include: Decor tips to avoid a 'John Lewis nightmare', The perfect playlist to start a Cabinet conga line & How to handle the subsequent police investigation. WHAT HAPPENS IN DOWNING STREET STAYS IN DOWNING STREET...UNTIL SOMEONE LEAKS IT.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781035410569 • Author:  Verity Bigg-Knight  • Publisher:  Wildfire • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  176 • Dimensions:  12.8 x 1.8 x 19.6 cm

 In this visually glorious chronological history, prolific railroad historian and photographer Brian Solomon curates a selection of the world’s most significant trains and locomotives over the last two centuries. Hop aboard to see trains and locomotives at work in scenic locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.  Two centuries after iron behemoths first began appearing in Europe and North America, locomotives and trains continue to fascinate folks of all ages. From North American steam and electric-diesel machines designed and built by the likes of Baldwin and General Electric to state-of-the-art electric freight and commuter trains in Europe and Asia, Solomon provides a thorough look at the development of the most famous, most influential, and most technologically advanced trendsetters across more than two centuries, with photography depicting heavy hardware at work in North America, Europe, and Asia. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780760389331 • Author:  Brian Solomon  • Publisher: Motorbooks • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  192 • Dimensions:  22.86 x 2.22 x 28.58 cm